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[joem789]

Hi

My name is Joe. I made my way here from the Bible-Truths.com website. I have a wife whom I married over 20 years ago. And we have 3 kids (7,9, and 16). I feel fortunate to have stumbled upon Ray's website several days ago. I had been searching for answers regarding the "Carnal mind" and Google brought up one of his pages. His unorthodox answers intrigued me so. Even more intriguing is the way he was backing up his words with Scriptures. Breaking things down. Ray obviously had a deep love and desire for what he was doing. Because he would reiterate so much. I personally like that because it helps me remember better. After checking out the rest of his website, I read the Lake of Fire series. My perspective has been changing alot since then. And it comes at the right time.

Recently, I had been struggling so much with the current state of my life. My wife and I are deeply caring people and put our children's needs ahead of our own in every way. And we have made major sacrifices to keep it that way. In a world where many parents pass their responsibilities off on others, just so they can work and play. We have no desire for that. But we struggle with money issues at times. I said to her once that if we ever won a lottery, we would probably give it all away! We really do enjoy having "one another" with nothing in between. But my personal struggles have been that something "in me" often comes between us. I have had to grow into a man while being married. And I am still learning to be the kind of example that GOD chooses for me to be. I am at his disposal, as I have had the desire to be for quite some time.

A few years ago, we became disillusioned with the way we were living. We had a house in the country, just outside of town. A few acres. Peace and quiet. We could not feel any contentment. Because the only thing that seemed important in life was having a job, getting paid, paying bills, never making ends meet. The typical modern life. Worries galore. And all of it would effect our marriage and our kids. We got rid of it all and bought a 32' travel trailer and moved it onto my parents property with the intent and willingness for GOD to lead us where we should be. It was exactly one year when a land opportunity dropped on our heads. It was 2.5 hours away in a zone free area. In the mountains. Away from distraction. It was never lived on. But someone for some reason had a gravel pad put in. Perfect for our camper. We bought it and moved in. Off grid. We have a creek that runs clear all year long and has been tested as safe to use. Not drink of course. So now we live more "old style". This has not only brought us together as a family. But since we homeschool our kids, they are with us 99.9% of the time. People have had traditions new and old. But this family has always been somewhat inside out. The wife works the day job and I work the home. Certainly out of necessity. We both are very good at what we do. I am a jack of all trades. Maintaining the camper, doing repairs as needed. Improving our living situation best I can. And keeping things safe most of all. I have to cut down trees and haul the wood on my shoulders up to 900 ft away. And through the creek. I am less about convenience and more about labor. I needed to find a way to get back in shape instead of sitting around like I did at the old house. We spend a lot more time outside. It is a new life that we are growing into. And it has healed many things inside us all. Its alot more work. But emotionally, there is far more contentment. But is that enough?

Lately, I have been having some inner struggles that brought me to Ray's website. I am deeply devoted to GOD. At least I try to be. I would give up anything in this world to be. You know, I often do tell myself that I know there must be struggle in order to grow. But I am a very stern person trying to be a softer man. And that's the hard part for me. It seems like GOD made me serious. Something I have been "accused" of my whole life. Being too serious. It is hard for me to dilute things or to hold back the truth to save feelings. Sometimes it hurts the ones I love. Which in turn hurts me. Of course I am speaking of the way I talk. Not physical action. I show lots of affection with my family. It is just that during times when I need to be more bold, I tend to be dramatic (like my mother). I am terrible at meekness. TERRIBLE. It is as if GOD made me this way for a reason. But when it makes you push the ones you love, it hurts after the fact. I don't enjoy being an authority. But its a burden I take seriously. I honestly hope that someday I can have the abilities that I need. But without inflicting pain.

I certainly do hope that joining this forum is part of a greater plan. Ray's information has really given my clarity and sparked a motivation to move forward.

[lilitalienboi16]

Welcome Joe,

Interesting story. I think one thing that can help with learning humility is to realize that we aren't always right. It seems from the way you describe your position of authority and having to be stern with words that you are always right... but let me assure you none of us is always right. Perhaps learning to see that your wife, or even your children (yes God uses our children to humble us), can be right.

It seems like you've run away from the world only for the world to creep up inside your heart. There in lies the problem with mankind. The heart. We can lock ourselves up in our closets in total blackness in the hopes of keeping ourselves from sinning only to end up with the beast inside rearing his ugly head, only to end up with our weak hearts betraying, only to end up being devoured by Satan. One cannot escape Satan, He walks to and fro across the earth. Yet God is able and willing to save us, to bring us through salvation at the appointed time, so we are never without hope. All things are necessary for this process, even the unpleasantness of evil and our weak carnal minds. How very frustrating. I know the frustration so much as I feel like I have been wrestling with it for long enough. But God determines when it is enough.

Just remember that we are IN THE WORLD but NOT of it. Nevertheless, we are still IN it and that will always be true until the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ should make His appearing again.

Glad you joined us Joe. There are many more teachings of ray to be found on the forums that are not found on the home page.

God bless,
Alex

[Kat]

Hi Joe,
I'm glad you have joined us 
Well we all go through different life situations, trying to achieve the life we desire to make us happy, but we still come to a point where we realize that we can't really find 'true happiness' in this world, at least not what we were thinking it was. Just as you were saying we come to see that we have weaknesses that we can't seem to control or overcome... it's as article #14 shows we are all carnal that "is enmity against God" (Rom 8:7) incapable of obeying God.

http://bible-truths.com/lake14.html ----
can one fall away and be in a position to actually spiritually SEE THE BEAST WITHIN! SEE the man of sin and the son of perdition. See your carnal-minded, God hating, SINS. You and I and all who have be enlightened by God’s word and our own failures in life, can surely see that we are all spiritually, WILD BEASTS.
---------------------------------------------

We all need to gain "an experience of evil," good as well, as we must come to understand evil from experience to give us the backdrop for comparison, if we are to truly know what good is (LOF article #6 under subtitle 'Everything is Relative' http://bible-truths.com/lake6.html )

Ecc1:13 I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens:it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it. (CLV)

Then only at God's perfect timing He opens our eyes to this truth... most of us started out this part of our spiritual awakening by "stumbling" across the BT site, and through our study we come to understand it's only by God's Holy Spirit that we can know God and obey Him and find real peace of mind.

Php 4:7  And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We're all here to learn so join the discussions or ask your own questions. As Alex said there is much more here on the forum and here is a guideline to help you with all the different boards that you can check out.

Forum Rules- General info board
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3.0.html
Topic- Questions and Truth 
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4558.0.html
Topic- How this Forum is Moderated
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3614.0.html

Emails to Ray board
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,6.0.html

Introductions, Announcements, and More of Ray's Teachings board
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,8.0.html
Sub boards- http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,14.0.html
Topic ~Categorized list of Ray's emails~
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3108.0.html
Topic ~Outline of Bible-Truths Web Site~
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2808.0.html
Topic ~Paypal Address For Supporting Bible-Truths
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3718.0.html
Topic ~SPURIOUS PASSAGES OF THE NEW TEST.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,6638.0.html
Topic ~Timelines
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,16067.0.html
Topic ~E-Sword and more study helps
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4470.0.html
Topic ~sending personal messages (PM)
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4618.0.html

Forum Indexes & Info.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,14.0.html

Ray's Videos
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,8227.0.html

Ray's Audios 
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2641.0.html

Ray's 2008 Audios
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,8256.0.html

Transcripts of Audios
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,12.0.html

General discussion board- to ask questions and discuss what is presented at the Bible-truths.com site.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,3.0.html

Child board- FAQ (most frequently asked questions)- above General discussion board
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,23.0.html

Off Topic board- to discuss things that may not directly relate to BT, you will find a good bit of humor
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,4.0.html

child board- Inspirationals, Writings, Poems, Etc.- above Off Topic board
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,15.0.html

Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship board- mostly for personal posts
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,5.0.html

Child boards- Who Am I? (only available to members)- above Testimonies board, members pics and other stuff
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,16.0.html

Members Recipes- for sharing recipes and food tips
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,22.0.html

mercy, peace and love
Kat

[Dave in Tenn]

Welcome, Joe.  I relate very much to your last paragraph.  I really believe He is making the "hard" softer and the "soft" harder.  We're all different, and as such all have different things that need pruning and cultivating.  He is calling all men everywhere to repent/have a change of mind and heart.  So hang in there.  What's He's begun He will bring to completion.

[AwesomeSavior]

Hi Joe:

God arranged for you to move out in the mountainous area for His reasons, and considering the state of affairs, it's not hard to understand one of those reasons.

Enjoy your spiritual journey   

Dean

[Rene]

Welcome to the forum Joe. 

Don't worry, God will humble you in time and you WILL become a "softer" person.

René

[virginiabm]

Hi Joe, welcome to the forum.

[narroway]

Praise the Lord Joe, welcome welcome welcome. Taste and see how good our Lord is. 

[lostANDfound]

Hello Joe!  My life seems to parallel yours in a few ways.  I'm a homeschooling mom of three and although we are scraping by financially on one income I too have a desire to sell the house, buy a big enough travel trailer and a scrap of land and hop on out of the rat race.  My husband is a bit more of a realist than me so it hasn't happened yet.   . Welcome to the forum!

[Flanagan]

Hi Joe,  Always nice to have a new brother join the forum. You've come to the right place if it's the truth you're after. " the truth will set you free" I never knew what that meant till I started to study Brother Smith's articles on the scriptures. Look forward to your comments and spirit on the forum.  " The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit"

[Dennis Vogel]

Welcome to the forum Joe. 

Don't worry, God will humble you in time and you WILL become a "softer" person.

René

Could not agree more - There's the easier way or the hard way. For me it's been the hard way 

[Rhys 🕊]

Welcome Joe

I enjoyed reading your introduction.

Rhys

[Brenda]

Welcome Joe, may GOD always walk beside you. Here you will know who GOD is and why you are here. WELCOME!